The 1960s and 1970s were the greatest period of politicization in Afghanistan during modern history. After a long period of sociopolitical suffocation from 1929-64, Afghanistan was set into a new period of relaxation and transformation
v Political parties and the independent press emerged.
Heated debates were formed based on social, economic, and cultural issues.
Literature became more common as means to fight each other (i.e. government vs. mujahedeen) or to express political and ideological viewpoints.
v 1965-73 in Afghanistan was also known as the “constitutional decade.”
A new constitution was ratified.
Political parties helped change the way the government was run.
Period ended in 1973 from a “royal coup” mandated by Muhammad Daud.
Socio-cultural developments still continued until 1978.
Culture:
Afghanistan’s relationship with the outside world reached a peak in the 1960s and early 1970s and therefore had the highest degree of cultural exchange in the country’s history.
v Cultural embassies were very active in Afghanistan.
Cultural activities were widely used (ex. Conferences, seminars, exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, and language courses)
v Afghanistan had its most thriving period in terms of visits by tourists or workers.
A large number of students were being sent overseas for a higher education.
A relatively large number of foreign experts were also employed during this time frame.
v Feature films, book, magazines, journals, music, and much more came flooding into the country.
Music produced in 1966-67
Social Class Structure/Lifestyle: Afghanistan was primarily a rural kingdom. 80% of the population took part in agriculture, while the remaining 20% were nomads. The agriculturalists were composed of gentries and farmers:
Gentries usually owned from 50-500 acres of land, and were involved in commerce of held high governmental positions.
Farmers owned 20-50 acres if they were well off, 8-30 acres if they were moderately rich, and 3-8 acres or rented from the people above if they were petty. 85% of Afghan farmers, however were landless peasants working for groups above.
Afghan Agriculture
The social class in Afghanistan was predominantly feudalistic with two major groups that operated side by side: Settlers and Nomads.
Women and hildren were a concept of property so they traditionally belonged to a male, just as the man owned the livestock, land, houses, and tents.
Classes: The Bourgeois Class:
Industrial workers: merchants, wholesalers, and retailers
The Labor Class
Formed organizations, parties, and movements
The Religious Class - *most influential/manipulative*
Religious rituals, supervise education + healthcare, modernization, and westernization
Politics/Government:
The 1960s and 1970s were the greatest period of politicization in Afghanistan during modern history. After a long period of sociopolitical suffocation from 1929-64, Afghanistan was set into a new period of relaxation and transformation
v Political parties and the independent press emerged.
v 1965-73 in Afghanistan was also known as the “constitutional decade.”
Culture:
Afghanistan’s relationship with the outside world reached a peak in the 1960s and early 1970s and therefore had the highest degree of cultural exchange in the country’s history.
v Cultural embassies were very active in Afghanistan.
v Afghanistan had its most thriving period in terms of visits by tourists or workers.
v Feature films, book, magazines, journals, music, and much more came flooding into the country.
Social Class Structure/Lifestyle:
Afghanistan was primarily a rural kingdom. 80% of the population took part in agriculture, while the remaining 20% were nomads. The agriculturalists were composed of gentries and farmers:
Gentries usually owned from 50-500 acres of land, and were involved in commerce of held high governmental positions.
Farmers owned 20-50 acres if they were well off, 8-30 acres if they were moderately rich, and 3-8 acres or rented from the people above if they were petty. 85% of Afghan farmers, however were landless peasants working for groups above.
The social class in Afghanistan was predominantly feudalistic with two major groups that operated side by side: Settlers and Nomads.
Women and hildren were a concept of property so they traditionally belonged to a male, just as the man owned the livestock, land, houses, and tents.
Classes:
The Bourgeois Class:
The Labor Class
The Religious Class - *most influential/manipulative*
Intellectuals
Sources:
www.schlacks.com/downloads/TS23/Bezhan.pdf
www.angelfire.com/rnb/bashiri/Afghanistan/AfghanOverview.html
www.gl.itt.edu/govdocs/afghanistan/GenderRoles.html
http://sonicasymmetry.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/afghanistan.jpg
http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/extension/programs/plant_diagnostics_clip_image001_0000.jpg
http://www.afghanmagazine.com/rulers/images/sardardaud.jpg